International Women's of Thailand

History of International Women’s Club of Thailand 

In our website we celebrate the vibrant club life we enjoy in the International Women’s Club of Thailand.  We focus on the present, showing club life in the year 2008 whilst paying tribute and respect to our past, through honoring IWC Past Presidents, Founding Members and Life Members.

The International Women’s Club is one of the most respected and oldest of the international women’s clubs in Thailand.

The International Women’s Club held its first Business Meeting at the Erawan Hotel on January 20, 1965 presided over by our first President M.R. Sermsri Kasemsri.  The first constitutional booklet was also printed in 1965 and listed the 107 members.  The official registration with Thai authorities followed on October 22, 1965, thus giving full legal status to the club.

1. The IWC objectives quoted from the 1965 Constitution are:

2.  

   1. 1. To foster friendship and mutual understanding between women of different nationalities without discrimination of race or creed.
   2. 2. To promote the cause of education and social interest in the national welfare of women and children.
   3. 3. To broaden the outlook of women in current affairs, cultural, social and other activities important to the status of women.
   4. 4. To keep abreast of the work of other women’s organizations of Thailand and worldwide international women‘s organizations.

In the year 2000 the International Women’s Club celebrated our 35^th anniversary of club life.  At that time we had nearly 600 members from over 60 countries.  In 2008 we have over 500 members from over 70 countries.  The IWC objectives are still faithfully guiding us and are just as relevant today.  The objectives and vitality of club life remain unchanged.  IWC Members enjoy stimulating, educational and colorful programs through our Monthly Luncheons, visits to places of interest around Bangkok and “Getting to Know You”, a monthly coffee morning hosted by Ambassador’s wives to share their cultures, heritage, scenic sites and interesting information about their countries.  IWC keeps members informed through an excellent monthly Bulletin and we recently launched our own web site.  Our club continues to maintain a focus on social welfare through activities to raise awareness and money for Thai charities assisting the primary needs of underprivileged women and children, and also through our own IWC Scholarship Fund (established in 1994) to provide a permanent ongoing educational fund to support needy female students with scholarships awarded annually. 

Our history also extends great honor and tribute to our IWC Founders who met throughout 1964 to plan and give birth to the IWC and its Constitution.  Their timeless values and objectives will remain forever in the cornerstone and foundation of the IWC and will continue to lead us forward in the future with confidence.  We can only truly appreciate our unique history and the wonderful legacy we have all inherited by revisiting these times through “eye witness” accounts from Founding Members plus a very special group of IWC Members who joined in 1965 and have been active in club life for over 42 years.